Miriam Merad, MD, PhD , an internationally acclaimed immunologist and oncologist, has been awarded the title of Chevalier de la Légion d'honneur [Knight of the Legion of Honor] by the French Republic. The prestigious distinction, presented at the Consulate General of France in New York by the Ambassador of France to the United States, honors Dr. Merad's groundbreaking contributions to macrophage biology and immunology and her leadership in transforming the landscape of translational research and precision medicine.
One of France's highest civilian honors, the Legion of Honor recognizes individuals who have made extraordinary contributions to their fields and society at large. Dr. Merad was selected for her visionary research elucidating the role of innate immune cells in cancer and chronic inflammatory disease, as well as her commitment to fostering global scientific collaboration and advancing human health.
Dennis S. Charney, MD, Anne and Joel Ehrenkranz Dean of the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, delivers remarks at the knighthood ceremony honoring Dr. Merad. Photo credit: Mount Sinai Health System.
Dr. Merad serves as the Mount Sinai Professor in Cancer Immunology at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, where she also holds several leadership roles, including Founding Chair of the Department of Immunology and Immunotherapy, Director of the Marc and Jennifer Lipschultz Precision Immunology Institute , and Director of the Human Immune Monitoring Center. In addition, in 2024, she was appointed Dean for Translational Research and Therapeutic Innovation, a role that positions her to accelerate early-stage clinical trials and strengthen partnerships with the biotech and pharmaceutical sectors.
Tracing her academic and professional journey, Ambassador Laurent Bili emphasized that Dr. Merad "has worked tirelessly to strengthen the bonds of friendship and scientific relations between France and the United States. Her exceptional career is a model of success in the field of medical research, particularly in immunology and oncology."
Reflecting on Dr. Merad's experience at Mount Sinai, which he called "remarkable in every respect," he recalled the fundamental work conducted during the COVID-19 pandemic, notably the creation of the Mount Sinai COVID-19 Biobank , "which has become an invaluable resource for identifying the immune mechanisms against this disease."
Throughout her career, Dr. Merad has made transformative discoveries, including the identification of tissue-resident macrophages, a lineage of immune cells with far-reaching implications for tissue repair, inflammation, and cancer therapy. Her seminal 2010 study, published in Science, is considered foundational to the field and has been cited thousands of times. More recently, her research has uncovered novel therapeutic targets to enhance antitumor immunity, with findings published in Nature demonstrating clinical efficacy in patients with lung cancer.
Her scientific achievements are matched by her dedication to mentoring the next generation of researchers. "For those aiming to innovate early, Mount Sinai provides an unparalleled environment to kick-start their careers and drive innovation," Dr. Merad has said, crediting the institution for empowering her own research trajectory.
Born in Paris and raised in Algiers by parents who were medical and scientific professionals trained in France, Dr. Merad has long followed a path guided by a deep reverence for the power of science to transform lives. She received her medical degree from the University of Algiers, completed a hematology/oncology residency in Paris, and earned her PhD in Immunology through a joint program between Stanford University and the University of Paris.
Her election to both the National Academy of Sciences and the National Academy of Medicine further demonstrates her status as a global leader in the life sciences. She is also a fellow of the American Association for Cancer Research and the Academy of Immuno-Oncology, and a recipient of the INSERM international prize and the Sjöberg Prize from the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences.
"This honor from the French Republic is both deeply meaningful and humbling," said Dr. Merad. "It reflects not only the incredible scientific journey I've been fortunate to pursue, but also the collaborative spirit and supportive environment that have defined my time at Mount Sinai."
"Dr. Merad exemplifies the very best of scientific discovery, leadership, and international collaboration," said Dennis S. Charney, MD , Anne and Joel Ehrenkranz Dean at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai and President for Academic Affairs of the Mount Sinai Health System. "Her groundbreaking work has not only reshaped our understanding of the immune system, but it continues to open new frontiers in cancer and chronic disease treatment. We are enormously proud to see her honored with France's highest civilian distinction, an honor that recognizes not just her brilliance as a scientist, but her enduring commitment to advancing human health worldwide."
About the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai
The Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai is internationally renowned for its outstanding research, educational, and clinical care programs. It is the sole academic partner for the seven member hospitals* of the Mount Sinai Health System, one of the largest academic health systems in the United States, providing care to New York City's large and diverse patient population.
The Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai offers highly competitive MD, PhD, MD-PhD, and master's degree programs, with enrollment of more than 1,200 students. It has the largest graduate medical education program in the country, with more than 2,600 clinical residents and fellows training throughout the Health System. Its Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences offers 13 degree-granting programs, conducts innovative basic and translational research, and trains more than 560 postdoctoral research fellows.
Ranked 11th nationwide in National Institutes of Health (NIH) funding, the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai is among the 99th percentile in research dollars per investigator according to the Association of American Medical Colleges. More than 4,500 scientists, educators, and clinicians work within and across dozens of academic departments and multidisciplinary institutes with an emphasis on translational research and therapeutics. Through Mount Sinai Innovation Partners (MSIP), the Health System facilitates the real-world application and commercialization of medical breakthroughs made at Mount Sinai.
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* Mount Sinai Health System member hospitals: The Mount Sinai Hospital; Mount Sinai Brooklyn; Mount Sinai Morningside; Mount Sinai Queens; Mount Sinai South Nassau; Mount Sinai West; and New York Eye and Ear Infirmary of Mount Sinai
